over a year ago, so he gives Mary grief by not sticking to his new diet. Many times, I’ve listened to her barking at him on the phone, warning him of the trouble he’ll be in when she gets home.
She surprises me by coming closer and throwing her arms around me. I still for a moment before hugging her back. Releasing me, she steps back and brushes down her uniform.
“Very well. But if you’re sending us home, you’d better look after yourself. You need to be careful of the devils you let into the house.”
I bite my lip to keep from grinning, knowing she’s talking about Raphael and his men.
“This Devil thinks with his heart. He’s harmless.”
Snorting, Raphael walks into my office as the staff shuffle out to grab their belongings. I wait by the door to make sure they all leave.
The house is usually quiet at any time of the day, even when the full staff is buzzing about, but with only Raphael and I here, the silence is deafening.
Needing to get out of yesterday’s clothes, I take the stairs up to my room, take a quick shower, and dress accordingly, wanting to be ready for anything.
It’s been a while since I’ve worn jeans or sweaters, or boots with a heel less than five inches. Putting my hair up into a ponytail, I turn to find Raphael standing in the middle of my room. Shit. I didn’t even hear him come in.
With no staff around, I need to be more aware of my surroundings. I watch on as he takes in the large wooden bed frame and deep red sheets. He moves around gracefully and stops at my nightstand. He picks up my bible, the one I’ve had since I was a child.
“For someone so close to God, you do sin a hell of a lot, Mila.”
“I always repent,” I huff.
I’m always being told I’m a part of a prophecy, one I’ve ignored by bringing death to many. I’d like to think the Almighty appreciates all the good I do in between.
Flipping it open, he finds the black rose I had saved.
“You’re a liar, Mila.”
“I’m no such thing.”
Slamming the bible closed, he tosses it onto the bed and stalks toward me.
“I bend the knee to you, yet you still can’t tell me truthfully that you think of me. Why else would you keep this rose? Is there someone else who sends you black roses?”
He’s so close, I can feel his breath hit my face, but I can’t move. I’m tired of being the one always moving away from him.
“Don’t read anything into it. I like the colour, and the flower.”
Tsking, he wraps his hand around the back of my neck, making my skin tingle everywhere. “Lying again, Mila. I’ll tell you something, you’re not any good at it. You never could lie to me.”
Leaning down, I close my eyes as he rests his forehead against mine, making my heart pound so hard, it makes me dizzy. I should be shoving him away, putting as much distance between us as I possibly can. Even better, leaving the room and him behind.
Yet I stand there, remembering happier times when his lips press against mine.
They feel different from my memories I’ve held on to for so long. He’s more aggressive as he tries to part my lips with his tongue. He was always soft and filled with passion in the most tender of ways. Squeezing the back of my neck, he pulls me flush against him, and that’s when I wrap my arms around his neck. Parting my lips, I allow myself to become lost in Raphael Marocchi once again. We’re not kids this time, and we both know exactly what we’re doing.
The absence of his hand on my skin leaves me cold as he takes hold of the backs of my legs and hoists me up, urging me to wrap them around his waist. I comply, grinding myself against him.
A low, deep growl vibrates into my mouth, and I know for certain that this Raphael—the man, and not boy—is more of a man than any others I’ve been with.
Once again, everything falls into place. The longer this kiss continues, the deeper I sink into his embrace.
“Jamila!”
Like a cold shower dowsing me, I break away from Raphael, trying to decipher where Trey is calling me from.
When Cristian calls out, “Raphe!” Raphael lowers me down his body, making sure I feel just how much he enjoyed our kiss.
“Jamila!” Trey’s voice is clearer this